Seven Generational Ruminations

Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun is a PBS documentary (a Nova episode) covering the solar energy industry, developments in solar technology, and generally presenting solar energy in a very positive and with a, uh, bright future. The documentary doesn't go into great depth but has great information in it. Interviewees include two members of the German Parliament, the Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Amory Lovins, several people who have installed solar systems in their houses, farms or businesses.

NOVA: Solar Energy - Saved by the Sun asin: B000PWQPAW

This is a very deeply interesting documentary about oil, oil supplies, the peak oil phenomenon, and the coming looming disasters which await us. The documentary is not "balanced" in that they gave no voice to the other points of view, but I suppose they think those other points of view are so far out of truth to not be worth addressing.

It starts with some assertions of truth: Oil is the Blood of the Dinosaurs, Oil is the Bloodstream of the Global Economy, Oil is the Blood of the Earth

Today I want to talk about the Peak Oil situation and do an overview of some of the current news related to this.

Let's start with a quick primer on what this is.

Adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil http://www.7gen.com/website/peak-oil/23988-peak-oil

NOTE: This is a repost of the previous episode, encoded in MP3.

"Imagine a free phone with no guaranteed contract on the back end. That is all in front of us." This was said by Jonathan Schwartz, the CEO of Sun Microsystems, seemingly to ignite some interest in a vision of the future. It sounds attractive, doesn't it? A cell phone with zero cost to the user, with no contracts and enforced terms, etc... Sounds like nirvana, no cell phone bills.

Apple iPod touch 32 GB with Software Upgrade asin: B0012JNQYK

In the news right now are many articles talking about a "UN Mandate" that will expire at the end of 2008, beyond which U.S. presence would not be allowed. UN Mandate? What Mandate? In Feb 2003 the United Nations voted against approving the invasion of Iraq, and (former) Secretary General Kofi Annan said the U.S. war in Iraq was illegal.

Solazyme (http://www.solazyme.com/) is getting ready to begin producing Soladiesel ™ .. this is an algal biodiesel where they've made it conform with existing standards for diesel fuel.

Algal biodiesel is different from food-derived biodiesel in that food is not being diverted to make fuel. In todays environment with food riots around the world, due to rising food prices, which may be due to food being diverted to fuel production, this is a very good thing.

Given todays crisis with the rising prices for oil and the rising prices for food, I thought it would be interesting to look back at George W. Bush's statement "America is addicted to Oil". As astonishing as it was for GW to be so honest as to admit the national addiction, as I reread the State of the Union speech this statement was embedded among some interesting promises related to freeing the U.S. from dependence on oil.

Bicycles don't have to be limited to entertainment. With the right bicycle you can do serious work, you can carry cargo, etc. I've found a few impressive options.

For example.. at http://www.bikecaffe.com they are offering a three wheeled bicycle, and in the front is a station holding coffee making machinery and a canopy. You could go into business as a mobile coffee seller.

I was looking at the EFuel web site and pondering the wisdom of purchasing one of these gizmos. I see they're offering seminars presumably to help potential buyers understand what they're getting into. I can imagine that home brewing ethanol is not exactly a trivial process no matter how well thought out this system is.